Doesn’t the name Voie Coysevox conjure images of artistic grandeur? This Parisian street pays homage to Antoine Coysevox a celebrated sculptor. He left an indelible mark on French art history.
Voie Coysevox is found in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. The street begins at 6 bis, rue Étex. It ends at 235, rue Marcadet. It is a public road in Paris.
Antoine Coysevox the street’s namesake was born in Lyon in 1640. He died in Paris in 1720. Coysevox rose to prominence during the reign of Louis XIV. He became known for his Baroque and Louis XIV style sculptures.
Coysevox joined the workshop of Louis Lerambert in 1657. He honed his skills by copying Roman sculptures in marble. These sculptures included Venus de Medici and Castor and Pollux. He married Marguerite Quillerier in 1666. She was Lerambert’s niece. Sadly, she died a year later. He married Claude Bourdict in 1679.
Coysevox was commissioned to create statuary for the Château at Saverne in 1667. This was by the bishop of Strasbourg Cardinal Fürstenberg. He returned to Paris in 1671 after four years.
His bust of Charles Le Brun secured his admission to the Académie Royale in 1676. He then joined a team of artists to decorate the Palace and Gardens of Versailles. Later, he provided works for the Château de Marly. This was between 1701 and 1709.
Coysevox became a professor at the Royal Academy in 1678. He later became its director in 1702. He guided a generation of French sculptors. His nephews Nicolas and Guillaume Coustou were among them.
Voie Coysevox itself has a history. It was opened in 1889 by the city of Paris. It was built on part of the Cimetière du Nord. The street got its current name in 1890.
The street is home to many post-Haussmann buildings. One notable building at number 15 once housed the Moynat factory. Moynat was a manufacturer of luggage and suitcases. Today, it is the headquarters of Unapei. At number 16 stands the Collège Antoine-Coysevox.
Antoine Coysevox’s legacy lives on in his sculptures. Many are found at the Palace of Versailles. His works include the stucco medallion of Louis XIV. Louis is portrayed as a Roman Emperor trampling enemies. Victory offers him a crown. He also created Justice and Force and the River Garonne at Versailles.
Other famous works include Mercury and the equestrian Fame. These were created for Marly. He also sculpted about a dozen funeral monuments. These include those to Colbert and Cardinal Mazarin.
So as you stroll along Voie Coysevox remember the artist behind the name. Antoine Coysevox’s sculptures brought dignity to his subjects. His influence shaped French sculpture for generations. His work continues to inspire awe and admiration today.